The euro sign in the centre of the coin's design symbolizes that the euro has become an element of particular importance in Europe as well as all over the world as it evolved into a global player in the international monetary system in the last ten years. The design elements around the euro sign express the importance of the euro to the people, to the financial world (ECB tower), to trading (ships), to industry (factories), to the energy sector and research and development (wind power stations).